Young trio involved in Circle K robbery sentenced to prison

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (WZZM) - Three young men who participated in an armed robbery at a convenience store in Comstock Park were sentenced to prison this week for a crime that netted them about $1,600.

“You should have known better than to get involved in something like this,’’ Kent County Circuit Court Judge George Buth told one of the three, each of whom appeared separately for sentencing.

The trio admitted to their roles in a July 27 robbery at the Circle K gas station at 4811 West River Dr. NE in Plainfield Township, near Fifth Third Ballpark.

Two suspects, armed with a handgun, entered the store and demanded money from the clerk, according to a Kent County Sheriff's Department news release.

No shots were fired, and no one was hurt.

Gabriel Jahmal Taylor, 21, was sentenced to 3-½ to 20 years in prison. At the time of the robbery, Taylor was on parole for carrying a concealed weapon.

Emilio Dwayne Melton, 20, was also given a 3-½ to 20-year term. Melton has a prior conviction in Kent County for attempted larceny and an arson conviction in Ottawa County.

Javier Luis Hernandez, described as being the least culpable, was the first to step forward and admit his involvement, his attorney said. Hernandez, 17, was sentenced to between 35 months and 20 years in prison.